Watoto Read understands that early childhood education is critically important for preschool aged children’s structural brain development, social development, and self-esteem. Did you know that 90% of brain growth occurs before age 6? Without access to early childhood education, children may not meet their full developmental potential which can have long lasting effects on their academic success, ultimately impacting their professional success. Preschool aged refugee children are no different from American preschool aged children in terms of their development potential. At every learning stage, education is key to development.
Watoto Read is supporting early childhood education through multiple preschool program initiatives. In 2021, Watoto Read provided $20,000 to support various preschool program needs including supporting business initiatives by local refugee women whose profits will provide a sustainable funding source for preschool education for children in Eastern Chad refugee camps in the future. In 2022, Watoto Read provided $35,000 to JRS, which included $10,000 for the
rehabilitation of 3 preschool classrooms and $25,000 to provide classroom supplies for all 67 preschools across 13 camps.
The photos above reflect the current poorly constructed preschool buildings with dirt floors versus the newly constructed buildings with concrete floors.
Preschool education provides valuable experiences and training in several key areas that have significant impacts on children’s development including:
- Early literacy & numeracy
- Cognitive development
- Socio-emotional development
- Fine and gross motor skills development
- Recreation opportunities
- Nutrition support
- Parental support
- Social services including trauma support, which is particularly crucial for refugee children.
UNICEF reports that the world’s poorest children are seven times less likely than other children to have access to early childhood education. Preschool education has not been available to refugee children in Chad. In 2020 & 2021, Watoto Read has committed to ensuring refugee children in Chad have access to early childhood education so they can reach their full developmental potential. Refugee children deserve the same opportunities as American children do.
Will you help ensure preschool aged refugee children in Chad have access to early childhood education? You can make an enormous difference by providing a donation that will cover basic education supplies. Click here to ensure refugee children have access to critically important early childhood education.